Progress

This is a very important post, directed primarily towards parents and coaches.  The idea is progress.  We all want to reach success, our daughters, our careers, our families, etc.  In every areas, we must progress to reach success - this is evident.  Noone became the winningest coach without winning each game, by progressing year after year, compounding hard work with time..

Practice should be an evolutionary giant, a progressive system of learning, improving, and ultimately, reaching success.  How do we structure our practices to reach success?  Through progressive drills.

The next few posts will center around the idea of progress...

FIELDING FUNDAMENTALS:

• Week 1: fielding fundamentals: one-hoppers, side-to-side, slow-rollers (single line at SS)
• Week 2: fielding fundamentals: (single line at SS, throwing to 1B)
• Week 3: fielding fundamentals: without a glove (3 lines; field at SS, throwing to 2B, making the double play to 1B)
• Week 4: fielding fundamentals: game-situation, coach hitting to SS, making the double play (2B to 1B), then spend additional time by adding a runner.

How to choose a new bat?

A few important factors should be considered as you choose the right bat for you.

• Height
• Weight
• Barrel Length (and Sweet Spot)
• League Rules
• Comfort
• Warranty

To get a general idea on height, stand and lean a bat against your leg. The bat should reach to your wrist. Next, approach home-plate, prepared to hit. Hold your bat out: can you hit the outside pitch? If not, the bat is too small. If you have more than 2 inches hanging over the outside corner of the plate, the bat is too long.

Practice Swinging... Next, get in your hitting stance, and slowly bring the bat around to a perfect contact spot. Hold you bat out for 60 seconds. If your hands start to fatigue before 1 minute is up, or if you are shaking, your bat is too heavy. If you could hold the bat longer, see if a heavier bat works for you. It is very difficult to come around on a pitch if your bat is too heavy.  This is one of the most important factors in choosing your best bat.

Now that you have an idea of height and weight, notice the length of your barrel, or the area where you will make good contact with the ball. An experienced batter can benefit from a smaller, stronger sweet spot.

A beginner or intermediate batter can benefit from more coverage area over the plate. Compare the barrel length on these bats:

You are done with the hard part, now it's time to make sure you are investing in a product that you can use year after year.  (You should look to get at least 2 seasons out of a bat, 1 season if you play year-round). Make sure that you check your league rules, most have an official bat list. Don't make a purchase without checking this list first; you could make an expensive purchase that you can't use in a game.

Finally; if you have a few bats that fit the above criteria, go for comfort and price. Bats can range from $150 - $600, so decide what this bat is worth to you. If you spend $500 on a bat, do you have enough extra for a much needed new mit? cleats? Consider your whole game before taking out your wallet, and check ebay for competitive pricing on new bats. I do not suggest purchasing a used bat; bats do lose their capability to "pop" the ball off the bat. Whenever you buy, ask one final question: does this bat come with a warranty? Protect your investment by choosing a bat with a one-year warranty.

Thanks for joining our blog today. And remember, the most important factor in choosing a new bat is the player's mental thoughts on their new bat. If you think this bat is the best thing in the world, you will already improve your hitting!

Be The Best You Are

One way our parents and coaches can stay on top of the newest research and winning strategies is to continue our education in the game of softball.  Each year in Cherry Hill, NJ, softball greats like Lisa Fernandez, Ralf and Karen Weekly, Carol Hutchins, and many others gather to share their tips, drills, and insight into the game of softball.

Join us in January!

To register for this wonderful clinic click here.

Coaches Bucket

We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We really appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We really appreciate our catchers.  

For all this training time, we cannot find glory without our priceless catcher behind the plate. We can't say it enough - we appreciate our catchers. If your catcher is mom or dad, brother or another adult - consider papering your catcher with this neat seat that covers a 5-gallon bucket. The cover has a cushion for your catcher to sit on, ample pockets for pencils, a cellphone, scorecards, etc. And in the bucket you can stuff your glove and balls.  A great idea to say "thanks for catching me"!

Interesting Article

I found this interesting…

“The move to year-round sports has led to an increase in chronic injuries for young athletes because the same muscles are stressed year-round with no time to rest fatigued muscles. A secondary fall-out from year-round sports is burnout.” (see full article)

I like to think I am hitting both of these areas very strongly in My Softball Training programs.  First, to prevent injuries we work out not only using year-round homework, but we change our workouts throughout the year, depending on our goals at that time.  This is called "periodization."  For example, right now we are focusing on building power, so our workouts will be tough and explosive while building endurance.  But during season we focus on injury prevention, so our workouts will be lighter and focused in other areas such as flexibility.

Also, building a solid relationship helps build love for the sport, and the practice that goes along with success.  I feel so sad for girls who hate a sport because they have done it day-in and day-out without change, just lots of practice. Throughout the year our practices change from a focus on games, to drills, to activities.  Because if you’re not having fun, it’s not worth doing….

So, I’m glad to see the studies sharing two of our important focal points, alongside quality instruction.  Yet another reason why My Softball Training programs are what’s working for so many athletes and families.

Let us help you love life, build confidence in yourself, and find success on… and off the mound!



Improving Your Swing.

Don't you wonder what new training tools actually work? And what training tools are just a scam?
Sometimes figuring out the device takes years, which is time lost in your regimen. (Like the Powerball - that was a disaster in my opinion: click to view it)

However, one miracle invention is the Turbo-Slot batting glove. I noticed during hitting lessons the change in how my athletes were holding the bat. They had a better grip - firm but not too tight, and their wrists had the ability to quickly move through the zone because of grip and hand placement on the bat. In addition, and likely because of the way you are forced to hold the bat when wearing Turbo-Slot batting gloves, I found players hit the ball further when wearing these gloves.

I hope this advice is helpful as you try to improve your reaction time, power, and overall batting experience.

A Great Training Device

One of the greatest training devices I have found is the Jennie Finch Pitching Machine. I feel that it is worth every penny for our girls to have the opportunity to build solid mechanics, balance, and strength in a small space - indoors or out.

The main idea is a wall-mounted device with a hinge and ball on the end. This allows for a perfect motion, while holding a softball. Balance is built as you have the ability to add resistance.  The important factor is finally, the need to work both the pitching arm, and the glove arm. This device allows you to do both, overhand and underhand...

5 Things You Should Do Every Day

5 Things You Should Do Every Day:

*this applies to girls age 10 and up.

1. Stretch (aim for at least 3 arm exercises and 3 leg exercises)

2. Rotator Cuff (2lbs MAX weight!)

3. Wrist Curls (try a wrist roller: 2lb weight strung on a stick)

4. Abs (planks, crunches)

5. Back (superman's)

Stretches:

• 
  
  In a squat position, swing your arms side to side, allowing your hips to twist, add a heel pivot, then a deep squat pivot increasing speed. Try to keep your arms loose during this entire stretch.
• 
  
  Standing, hold both arms out in front of your body, parallel to the ground. (Similar to swimming...) Take one arm down and make a full circle stretching your rotator cuff and whole arm through a long motion. Repeat 5x. Switch arms.  Now go backwards, taking the first arm up and back and swinging by your hip to return in front. Switch arms.
• 
  
  Stand and lift yourself onto your toes using your calf muscles, come down so you lean your butt out and rock back onto your heel (allowing your toes to come off the ground). Rock back up to a toe lift, and then back to your heels.
• 
  
  For more exercises see Sept. 6, 2008 blog post.

Rotator Cuff:

• 
  
  Stand with one arm out to your side, parallel to the ground. Bend at the elbow so your hand is now raised towards your ear. Holding the 2lb weight in this raised hand, try to keep your arm as stable as possible and in this "L" shape the entier exercie. Taking the raised hand slowly out in front of the body so it is parallel to the ground, then slowly returning to the start position.  10x. Switch arms.
• 
  
  to turn this into a core workout, stand on one leg.
• 
  
  For a greater challenge, stand on one leg on a Bosu ball, rolled up yoga mat, or wobble board!
• 
  
  You should NEVER do more than 2lbs, if you feel you need to increase your strength, try 2 sets of 10. Adding repititions is key, not adding weight on this exercise.

Wrist Curls:

• 
  
  Construct A Wrist Roller: to make this exercise tool, take a round dowel rod about 3" thick. You will need to drill a small hole in the middle to secure a 2-3' string to. At the bottom of the string, attach a 2lb weight. 
• 
  
  Wrist Roller Exercise: holding your arms out, parallel to the ground in front of you, hold the dowel rod. As fast as you can, generating motion from your wrists, while keeping your arms straight out, wind the string around the dowel rod until the weight is all the way touching the wooden rod.  Then unwind, making sure not to just let the string fall, but to "wrist curl" each piece of rope down to the star position.  Try to do this 3x in a row as fast as you can. As you improve, increase repititions and time yourself for motivation.
• 
  
  Bucket of Rice: see Nov. 14, 2009 blog post

Superman:

• 
  
  Lying face down on the ground, arms should be extended above the head. Lift legs and arms at least 6" off the ground. Hold this position, you should feel the workout in your lower back.  Every time you perform an ab workout, you also need to strengthen your back... this is maximizing your ENTIRE CORE.  Many girls suffer from back problems because they do front core exercises, and even some side core exercises, but neglect the back.
• For more exercises see Sept 6, 2008 blog post

We have liftoff

Hold on to your seats,

we are preparing for lift-off...

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Houston, we have liftoff:

 www.MySoftballTraining.com

I am excited to launch our new site, for those perusing the Web, you can view information regarding My Softball Training programs, find teams we are connected with, tips and more!  For athletes a part of My Softball Training programs, a login has been provided for additional materials such as training diary, exclusive tips, our quarterly newsletter and more.


Please contact me if you have any problems! ~Coach Jordyn~

Ready.. Set...

Getting excited about the new website? 

The Coach-Athlete Relationship

Today I want to share my thoughts on the coach-athlete relationship.  I am including a link (click on this blog post title) to an article written on this subject.  I cannot say enough how proud I am of my girls this season, from my pitchers, to my teams, to the friends of these teammates who come in and out of my life.  I pray each day that I'm able to be in a place to positively influence these young girls.  I hope I am the stability in your life that you need. I hope I provide the drive and opportunity for you to grow as much as you can.  I hope that I am an open heart, a listener and a mentor when it's more than softball that's on your mind.  I thank you for the opportunity to coach you this year, and hope that our time together has provided many memories and positive life-lessons.

Thanks for a great year.
I look forward to our next season; of softball and of life.

Upcoming Events

For interested athletes, Coach Jordyn is accepting openings for pitching, fielding and hitting lessons at this time.

Click To View An Outline Of
"My Softball Training"

For Questions and Scheduling

Please Feel Free To Contact 

Coach Jordyn By Phone or Email.

 

Zeke Mumma Fund Raiser

This fall Coach Jordyn will be volunteering for the fifth year to support friend and colleague, Laurie Mumma to raise funds for Laurie's son Zeke. The Zeke Mumma Fund was created in 2004 after Zeke Mumma suffered brain injury stemming from a severe and unusual case of bacterial pneumonia. Since then, Zeke has overcome the obstacles of learning to crawl, communicating, and eating.


Throughout the year, the Zeke Mumma Fund hosts multiple fundraisers to help with Zeke's development and help offset the cost of his therapy and bi-annual trips to the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP) in Philadelphia and to a physical therapy center in Canada.


Please join us for the annual girls softball clinic August 16th to support Zeke's recovery and continued needs. You can sign up for either the pitching clinic or total skills clinic.
To learn more about Zeke and his condition/improvements please visit http://zekemummafund.org

Summer Workouts: Core Exercise

As your summer season rolls to a finish, it is important to take a break from pitching daily, so your arm is fresh for each playoff and championship game.  But you still want to maintain core strength.  This is a great workout that you can do at home.

Windmill push-up:

Begin a regular push-up, bending at the elbows, but as you push up, rotate your body and extend your right arm overhead.  Your arms and torso should form a T, with your left arm supporting your weight.  (Don’t let your hips sag).  Slowly lower yourself down.  Perform 4 to 6 reps, per side, alternating.

Pitching Tips:

                         Start with a Strike.


Why?      
 - Most batters won't swing at the first pitch anyway.
 - It puts the pitcher ahead in the count.
 - (If you know a batter always goes after the first pitch, don't give her that strike) 

Essential Pitch-Count Strategies:

What pitch should be called in the following batter-count?


0-0
Fastball for a STRIKE on a CORNER.



0-1
Breaking ball to FINISH on the Opposite corner that the previous pitch was called.






1-1
A risky pitch is good to throw here.  Like a curve-ball, drop-ball, rise or screw.
The pitch you call should FINISH on the Opposite corner that the previous strike was called.






1-2
If you haven't called an off-speed pitch yet, definitely throw one now!
If you just called a change, curve or drop, try a RISE ball.  You can be very risky!
The pitch you call should FINISH on the Opposite corner that the previous strike was called.






2-2
FASTBALL.
Remember the previous pitch! This pitch can be on the SAME side of the plate, but a little further out if it was an outside pitch, or a little further in if it was an inside pitch.
See if she will chase a ball.






1-0
Throw a pitcher's BEST Movement pitch.  Like a change-up, curve-ball, drop, rise or screw.
If none of her off-speed pitches are working, throw a FASTBALL in the Opposite spot as the previous pitch.










0-2
This can be anything from your pitcher's "Go-To" pitch to a Movement pitch, to a new pitch that hasn't been thrown in a game yet!  You can be very risky, or just end with a sure-strike!




3-1
A pitcher's "Go-To" pitch.
If you're struggling, make sure the target is a broader AREA rather than right on a corner.
For example, set up and aim to hit between the center of the plate and a corner.






3-2
A pitcher's "Go-To" pitch.
If you're struggling, make sure the target is a broader AREA rather than right on a corner.
For example, set up and aim to hit between the center of the plate and a corner.
 
 
 


 

Question For Pitchers, Catchers And Coaches

If you know a batter always swings at the first pitch, call a: ____(what)_____

• call a: pitch on a corner; maybe a little further outside the strike zone
• See if she will chase a pitch outside the zone.

If the pitcher is ahead in the count... And the batter swings and MISSES, throw the next pitch: __(where?)___

• throw the next pitch: in the same area, but a little further outside the strike zone
• See if she will chase a pitch outside the zone.

 

Essential Question For Pitchers, Catchers And Coaches

NEVER THROW: ___(what?)____

• Never Throw: the same pitch twice
• ALWAYS switch up the SPEED and/or the SPOT

Question For Pitchers, Catchers And Coaches

What are SLOW movement pitches?

• Change-up
• Curve-ball
• Drop-ball

What are FAST movement pitches?

• Rise-ball
• Screw-ball 
• 2-Seam

Question For Catchers And Coaches

If your pitcher is struggling to hit the corners, where should you set up?

• Between the center of the plate and a corner: give her an area of the plate, instead of the corner
• Unless she throws 3 balls in a row: don't ever set up right down the middle!

Question For Catchers And Coaches

What 3 things should you ask your pitcher before the 1st inning

1. What pitches are you throwing today? (2-seam, Curve, Drop, Rise, Screw)
2. What's your BEST off-speed pitch today?
3. What's your go-to pitch today? (The Fastball SPOT she hits most often)

Good Luck

Good luck to each player in "My Softball Training".  We've worked hard, trained with determination, and continue to perfect the fundamentals.  Both mentally and physically we have prepared ourselves for Spring 2010... Your best season yet is now, are you ready?  Get set, because it's HERE!

Keep up the good work Kasey, Francesca, Sara and Danica (the best sophomore-coach we could ask for)! 
Get Fired Up Courtney, Emily, Lacey, Jenny, Jossalin, Reilly, Robin, and Katelyn! 
Good luck Natalie, Marlena, Kylie and Mari!

And to each softball player who's ready to put their heart into this spring... 

Step up.

Overachieve.
Focus.
Train hard.
Believe in yourself.
And your teammates.
Leave it all on the field.
Love the game!

Season Goals

Whatchamacallit of the week:

What are your goals? 

In other words, what do you expect of yourself?  
We need to share our expectations, so we can test ourselves and make sure we are truly improving.  

Write at least 3 goals for yourself this season, 

• post these goals in your bedroom
• keep them in your softball bag
• anywhere you will see them often

If we set goals, we have better focus.

Pregame

It is important to have a pregame routine. A prescribed way to warm up, knowing confidently, if you go through each step in your warmup, that you will be fully game-ready when the umpire calls "Play-Ball". It is important to create a routine, and practice your routine many times before games begin. #1: Let Coach Jordyn know if you are unsure of your pregame routine. We can talk about what works best for you and practice it.

Whatchamacallit of the week:

After you have warmed up, it is important to tell your coach and catcher a few things before you step onto the mound...

What Should You Be Telling Them?

1. Tell your catcher and coach what pitch or location is working BEST for you today.
2. Tell your catcher and coach what pitch or location you are struggling with today.
3. Tell your catcher and coach if you are game ready! 

What piece of equipment protected this girl?

WHATCHAMACALLIT of the week:

What piece of equipment saved the pitcher in this video from a major injury?  Answer: A Facemask.   It is one piece of equipment  I recommend you purchase and USE consistently!

Jennie Finch Pitching

Notice in this video that Jennie Finch is talking about all the mechanics we work on together.  So, it's not just Coach Jordyn saying so, it's the all-time, best pitcher in history saying to keep that glove in line, to use your long levers, and above all, make a nice, fluid, strong snap without stopping your wrist.  Enjoy...

How Far...What's 40 Feet To You?

I know you may read this and giggle, but this WHATCHAMACALLIT is one of the most important questions I have to ask... What's the distance between home plate and your pitching mound?  

Not by inches or feet; we all pitch from 40 feet, but what's your measurement?  For me, it's 15 even strides. It used to be 18, but I've grown since I first started measuring, so now it's a15 strides from the mound to the front of home plate.

It is very important for you to discover how you would measure the 40 feet between home plate and your mound.  This way as you practice in a gym or outside, you know where to set up your catcher, and where you should be.

So...  what's the distance between home plate and your pitching mound.

Setting Up A Batter

The weekly WHATCHAMACALLIT should be considered by all players of the game.  As a batter, or as a fielder (especially pitchers/catchers)...

What does it mean to 
"set up a batter"?

 HINT...

Answer: The pitcher and catcher have a perfect opportunity to strike out a batter by having a gameplan.  One example would be to throw two inside fastballs then throw an outside fastball.  To catch a batter off guard might mean to throw a change-up followed by a fastball, or vice-versa.  It is also important to have a total game plan.  It is important not to throw a changeup in the first inning, so by the second time you face each batter, they don't know you even have this off-speed pitch.  A total game plan might mean starting the first three batters with inside fastballs, then to the fourth batter throw an outside fastball to start.  Predictability is key.  If a girl is crowding the plate, push them off with an inside pitch, if a girl is too far away from home, then throw them something they cannot reach.  If a girl reaches for an outside pitch, throw them another one even further out to see if they will chase it.  

Bunt Situation

The weekly WHATCHAMACALLIT puts you in the position of a pitcher. What is your response to a bunted ball? A nicely laid bunt likely prevents a play at any base but first. In this case, what is a pitcher to do?

Your WHATCHAMACALLIT of the week is to comment with your answer to each of these two questions:

1. If the bunt is laid down down the left-field line, what fielder has a better chance of getting the out?
2. If the bunt is laid down the right-field line, what fielder has a better chance of getting the out?

Answer:

1. A well placed bunt down the left field line is definitely best handled by the 3rd baseman.  She has the best angle at the ball, and more importantly, the best angle for the throw at first.  And furthermore, the third baseman is standing in the baseline preventing any runners from scoring, just by standing there.

2. Bunts down the first base line are a little more difficult.  Think of it this way: as a pitcher, you can move into fielding position as soon as the ball leaves your fingertips.  A catcher must wait to receive the pitch, or at least until the batter bunts the pitch and runs out of the way.  So though one-in-a-million catchers may be able to jump out and get that bunt rolling down the first base line, it is better decided that the pitcher has to take control.  The pitcher has a slightly better angle than the first baseman, and the pitcher should already be moving in hard as the batter squares for the bunt.  So PITCHERS - be on your toes!  This ball is YOURS!  Catcher - your job is to tell her to keep going after it, and to call which base she should throw at.

Thanks for your first comments girls!  Good job on week one! 

Let's Interact!

We are going to use the month of January
as a "Power Boost" into the season.
While pushing our bodies toward strength and power, we are going to work our minds as well! I hope you enjoy this interactive website. Feel free to watch the video's and to look through past history... you may see photos of yourself and video's of your friends!


To start, lets get to know each other.
Tell us your favorite part about softball.
And tell us why!

• Remember to stay safe on the internet so don't ever post your full name! See, I'm "Coach Jordyn" - you can create a unique name too!
• To respond click on the "comments" link below this text, next to the envelope image.
• Feel free to comment on any other posts too!

January Boost

Ok girls, 2010 is upon us, with only a few months until the sun will be shining and dirt will be on our cleats. January is the month where we have to put in the hardest work, otherwise we will spend the rest of the season trying to make up for lost time.

This is a famous quote that we will focus on this month:

If you don't have the time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it again?

If you can commit to working hard this month, you will own the explosion and drive to conquer the next month or so of training, and in-turn, you will control your destiny this season. Lets use our personalized workouts and commit 100% to it. Reaching our goals means a commitment in January that will pave the way for spring diamonds!

Lets do this!

Focus. Commitment. And Drive!